Remember Eli the game manager, the quarterback whose only job was to not mess it up against inferior teams in recent weeks? That guy was gone on Sunday.

Eli the playmaker was back behind center in the Giants' 27-13 victory over the Packers. He looked much more like the quarterback who has led his team to a pair of Super Bowl titles in the past six years than the quarterback who was losing them games earlier in the season.

Eli Manning was throwing the ball downfield and making big plays with regularity early against the Packers. The resurgence of can be at least partly attributed to the Giants' beleaguered offensive line making life a lot easier, especially early in the game. They did not allow a sack in the opening 30 minutes as Manning had time to throw and a pocket to step into. The results were evident. Manning completed 15-of-23 passes for 161 yards in the first half.

“Absolutely he was more comfortable,” veteran guard David Diehl said. “We take a lot of pride in what we do in our job up front. If we give him time to keep his feet clean, to keep him comfortable, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league. And he was more comfortable [Sunday].”

It was obvious right from the start. Manning completed all four of his pass attempts on the opening drive. He then had time to make a pair of throws downfield on the Giants’ second possession, which included a 26-yard touchdown pass to Rueben Randle.

The final stat line looked much more like what everyone’s come to expect from Manning: 25-of-35 passing for 279 yards with a touchdown and an interception. It was the most yards he's throw for since a Week 5 loss to Philadelphia, and the second-quarter interception, by all accounts, wasn’t his fault. That one was on Louis Murphy.

The afternoon was an encouraging sign, especially since the Giants don't anticipate playing another string of backup quarterbacks going forward.

"For the most part, we’re on the same page," Manning said.

The second-quarter hiccup was short-lived. Manning made a pair of big plays downfield in the third quarter. The foundation of that success laid early in the contest, according to Diehl.

“Everybody was gaining confidence,” he said. That is the key, to start fast and get that confidence early. That’s not only when Eli is his best, but that is when we’re at our best as a group.”

As the game progressed, the Giants' line started to reveal cracks. Green Bay, with their varied blitz packages, sacked Manning four times in the second half.

But with Manning's confidence high following a strong first half, the damage was limited. He wasn't trying to force passes and turning the ball over in the process.